Carey Mulligan, An Education

Mulligan is clearly the best thing in An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig. The preternaturally gifted actress plays a schoolgirl who falls for -- and is eventually left heartbroken by -- a much older charmer, and she shines in the role.

Mulligan's only hope is that the Oscar votes split between Streep and Bullock, pushing her to the front as a popular second-choice vote.

It's not unlikely at all, especially since the Best Actress category often recognises bright young stars.

Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Like her Bridges of Madison County co-star Clint Eastwood, it seems obligatory for the Oscars to nominate Streep. The actress has an unbelievable 16 Oscar nominations, a tremendous record.

This year's film sees her in a wonderfully joyous role, and while it doesn't rate alongside her most dramatic work, it is a fine light role and sees her as a real person, the iconic chef Julia Child. Always a good thing, come award season.

Betting on Streep is the safest choice for the category, especially since it is often felt that an actress of her magnitude should recieve well more than the two Oscars she's won.